Fascinating photos have been released showing military life in Rhodesia, southern Africa, at the end of the 19th century.

They were taken between 1896 and 1900 at a time when the famous British imperialist Cecil Rhodes was establishing British control in the region, now known as Zimbabwe.

One photo shows soldiers from Rhodes' British South Africa Company at a lookout with ammunition around their necks poised and ready to fire. There is also the remarkable sight of troops lined up on bicycles and an imposing fort in the hills.

A touching photo shows soldiers rustling through a pile of mail to find letters from their loved ones.

The photos, taken by W. Rausch who ran a studio in the town of Bulawayo, were captured during the 'Scramble for Africa' when European nations were vying for control of the continent and its resources.

Specifically, the troops in the images were fighting in the Second Matabele War, which pitted the British against the native Matabele tribe.

In March 1896, the Matabele revolted against the authority of the British South Africa Company.

The Mlimo, their spiritual leader, convinced his people that the 4,000 settlers were responsible for the drought, locust plagues and the cattle disease ravaging the country at the time.

Bulawayo came under siege but British troops were sent to defend the major settlements, with war raging on until October 1897.

In recent years, the colonial history of Cecil Rhodes and of Britain in Africa have come under closer scrutiny and have faced harsh criticism.

This image archive remained in Zimbabwe until recently when it passed into the safekeeping of a vendor in Berkshire with links to the country. It has now emerged for auction and is tipped to sell for £5,000.

Chris Albury, of Dominic Winter auctions in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, said: 'The archive had been in Zimbabwe until quite recently and is owned by a family with links to both Britain and Zimbabwe.'

Fascinating photos have been released showing military life in Rhodesia, southern Africa, at the end of the 19th century. Pictured, a native tribe in Rhodesia, now known as Zimbabwe

They were taken between 1896 and 1900 at a time when the famous British imperialist Cecil Rhodes was establishing British control in the region, now known as Zimbabwe. Pictured, soldiers from the military force raised by Rhodes known as the Pioneer Column with their high-powered weaponry

Share this article

There is also the remarkable sight of troops lined up on bicycles in the town of Bulawayo and an imposing fort in the hills

Specifically, the troops in the images were fighting in the Second Matabele War, which pitted the British against the native Matabale tribe (pictured)

The photos, taken by W. Rausch who ran a studio in the town of Bulawayo, were captured during the 'Scramble for Africa' when European nations were vying for control of the continent and its resources. Pictured, native soldiers lined up with their guns

A touching photo shows soldiers rustling through a pile of mail to find letters from their loved ones in the Bulawayo camp

In March 1896, the Matabele revolted against the authority of the British South Africa Company (pictured)

The Mlimo, their spiritual leader, convinced his people that the 4,000 settlers were responsible for the drought, locust plagues and the cattle disease ravaging the country at the time. Pictured, troops sorting through their provisions

In recent years, the colonial history of Cecil Rhodes and of Britain in Africa have come under closer scrutiny and harsh criticism. Pictured, a cemetery at Fort Gaberons - titled 'Graves of those who fell at Crocodile Pools'

One photo shows soldiers from Rhodes' British South Africa Company at a lookout with ammunition around their necks poised and ready to fire

The archive remained in Zimbabwe until recently when it passed into the safekeeping of a vendor in Berkshire with links to the country. It has now emerged for auction and is tipped to sell for £5,000. Pictured, native soldiers drinking from water carts

Chris Albury, of Dominic Winter auctions in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, said: 'The archive had been in Zimbabwe until quite recently and is owned by a family with links to both Britain and Zimbabwe'

Mr Albury said: 'The value of the album stems from the remarkable number of photos in it and the quality of them.' Pictured, a train station in Bulawayo, Rhodesia

The auctioneer added: 'They were taken by the studio of W.Rausch in Bulawayo over a four year period and they capture an interesting part of the world at a volatile time politically with several conflicts.' Pictured, Canadian soldiers in Bulawayo

He went on: 'There are are interesting photos of the native tribes and the remarkable sight of a regiment lined up on bicycles.' Pictured, a native family posing for a photograph

This photo shows the town of Bulawayo in Rhodesia with a number homes, shops and military buildings on display

This image shows a group of Salisbury officers posing in front of their tent at Crocodile Pools in Bulawayo

This image shows military men hard at work with their sleeves rolled up posing in front of their weaponry at Fort Umluglu, Bulawayo

British troops and their civilian families pose alongside native African men in this photo taken at a military facility

A large group of settlers pose in their finery for a celebratory photograph in Bulawayo behind a string of bunting

This image shows the Laager market which provided supplies, cooked food and even accommodation for the night

In this image native tribesmen can be seen standing in front if the water works they were instrumental in constructing

Troops pose for a casual photo alongside their guns and even their pet dogs in this photo in Bulawayo

This photo, showing colonial troops and native tribesmen working together, is entitled: 'Gambo receiving his beer at the war dance'

In this image troops armed with guns and bullets pose at the Gaberons Station in Bulawayo in front of a loaded train

An armoured train carriage can be seen in this photo taken by photographer W. Rausch along with military men attending to the machine

These signalmen can be seen posing for a photograph along with their flag equipment, guns and ammunition in 1896

This photograph shows the first train coming into Bulawayo. A banner on the front of the train says: 'Advance Rhodesia'

This photo shows a group of native chiefs gathering for a meeting in Bulawayo

British troops pose for a photograph in this image entitled 'Before going to the front'

In this photograph native troops can be seen lining up at a hut in the town of Bulawayo

British troops can be seen sitting on their horses in this photograph at Bulawayo